Italy scare to focus Ireland U20 minds for Wales visit

After getting out of jail with a narrow win over Italy last time out, Ireland's Under-20s are targetting an 80-minute performance against Wales this evening.

Richie Murphy’s charges scraped to a 23-22 victory over the young Azzurri, who led at half-time and also with seven minutes to play in round two of the U20 Six Nations.

Two of the three tries conceded by Ireland came shortly after they had crossed themselves and winger Hugo McLaughlin knows that a repeat performance will dent their title ambitions.

"The main thing is just being switched on for the whole 80 minutes, which was a bit of a learning from Italy," McLaughlin told RTÉ Sport.

"We’ve just got to focus for 80 minutes and play the best we can.

"We are expecting some big boys, especially a few of their backs and back rows, big ball carriers.

"Our main focus is when they have the ball, just get off the line and make some big shots. Their backs are good, against Scotland and England they scored some good tries, running from deep."

The celebrations at the end of the match two weeks ago were more of relief than anything, according to the former Gonzaga College student (above).

"Oh God, yeah. I think I came off in the 65th minute and I was biting my nails for the last 15," he said.

"There was so much relief. Even when Sean [Edogbo] went over but then they got the ball back, it was just nerves, nerves, nerves.

"We’ve just got to get it out of our heads, it’s a new game on Friday and just play as best we can."

McLaughlin has been involved with Ireland underage set-ups for the last couple of years and won a Leinster Senior Schools Cup in 2023 and is really enjoying the step up in class with the U20s.

"It’s special," he said.

"You know how much it means when you make your debut